Norwegian Aura to Debut Early, Two New Voyages Added

Norwegian Cruise Line’s next new ship, Norwegian Aura, will be joining the fleet sooner than previously planned. The line announced today that it has added two new inaugural Mediterranean sailings, made possible by the ship’s anticipated early delivery. Now, the vessel is set to begin sailing with passengers on May 2, 2027.

norwegian cruise line norwegian aura rendering — (Credit: NCL)

Aura‘s new Mediterranean cruises include:

A 10-night voyage from Trieste, Italy to Piraeus, Greece, departing May 2, 2027. It will visit Dubrovnik, Split, Bar, Corfu, Santorini, and Mykonos
A nine-night voyage from Piraeus to Trieste departing May 12, 2027, visiting Rhodes, Mykonos, Santorini, Corfu, Bar, Split, and Zadar

After these two voyages, Norwegian Aura will operate a seven-night Mediterranean cruise from Trieste to Barcelona on May 21. It will then head across the Atlantic on a 13-night transatlantic cruise to Miami.

From June through October 2027, the ship will homeport in Miami, offering seven-night eastern Caribbean cruises to the Dominican Republic, St. Thomas, Tortola, and NCL’s private island Great Stirrup Cay. In winter 2027-2028, Aura will offer seven-night western Caribbean cruises to Roatán, Costa Maya, Cozumel, and NCL’s private destination in Belize — Harvest Caye.

Norwegian Aura will be the largest ship in the NCL fleet, coming in at around 170,000 gross tons. It’ll be 10 percent larger than Norwegian Aqua and Luna and will feature Ocean Heights, a new outdoor activities complex that spans four decks. It will include dueling mat racer waterslides, a drop-in body waterslide, a ropes course, an obstacle course, carnival-style games, and dedicated areas for kids, teens, and families.

norwegian aura ocean heights rendering — (Credit: NCL)

The ship will also have the largest pool deck and largest Vibe Beach Club in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet.

Other highlights of the ship include Tamara, NCL’s first specialty Indian restaurant, an immersive free dining venue called The Panorama Room, and the cruise industry’s most expansive spa thermal suite — including the first-at-sea-Sensory Rain Pool.